"I can't believe I agreed to this," Rika grumbled as she climbed the steps up to the apartment where Ryo lived with his father. It was only a short distance away by bus from where they had eaten, and from where Rika had accepted Ryo's challenge.
"Welcome to my humble abode," Ryo said, throwing open the door to the apartment. "You'll, uhh, have to excuse some mess," he continued apologetically. "It's just my dad and I, so it's kind of a bachelor pad."
"It's… not that bad," Rika said carefully, surveying the place. Despite Ryo's talk of a bachelor pad, the apartment was actually fairly clean, despite a few dirty dishes here and there.
"Right back," Ryo said, slipping off to his room. When he came back, he was carrying a small case of Digimon cards. This he set down on the floor, pulling out a small deck box before turning the open case so it faced Rika. "Go ahead and use whatever you like."
"Oh, there's no need for that," Rika said slyly, reaching into her hand bag. "I brought my own." From her bag, she pulled out the hip holster that she had used all those years ago and removed her own deck. "Old habits and all that," she shrugged.
"You're just full of surprises, aren't you?" Ryo smiled.
"You have no idea. Shall we begin?"
"Ladies first."
The card game began in earnest, momentum and the lead switching several times as it continued. Seconds ticked by and became minutes, but the game continued. For the longest time, the outcome was unclear. The action went back and forth, as did the friendly jabs. Before she knew it, Rika was thoroughly enjoying herself, up until the final card was played.
"I can't believe it," Ryo gasped.
"That's… it," Rika said, shocked. "It's over…"
"I can't believe it…" Ryo repeated. "You beat me!"
Rika's reaction, however, wasn't a pleased one at how the game had turned out. "Why, of all the low down, dirty things to do…"
"Say what?"
"I don't believe you, Ryo Akiyama!" Rika shouted, angrily getting to her feet. "You let me win!"
"Oh, come on!" Ryo said, rising to his feet as well. "Why would I want to do something like that?"
"Why would you do any of this? Get me to go on a date with you, pick a romantic movie, even invite me up here, to your place! It's obvious!" Angrily, Rika turned her back on Ryo, crossing her arms in front of her.
"That's not true in the slightest!" Ryo contested, his hands pleading. "Okay, so I picked a movie with some romance in it! You could have walked out at anytime, said no at anytime!"
"So what are you trying to say?" Rika yelled back. "That you think I'm easy?"
"O-Of course not!" Ryo stammered. "What I'm trying to say… is…"
"Is what?"
"Damn it, Rika," Ryo managed to get out. "I'm trying to say that I like you! A lot! And that I have for a while now!"
"You… what?" Rika asked, stunned. "But you… And I… well…"
"Well?"
"Well, you know what…" Rika answered slowly. She turned around to face Ryo, looking into his eyes. "I really like you too."
"T-then... What was all of that about?" Ryo asked incredulously.
"I don't know!" Rika shot back. "It's just... I'd spent so much time being angry at you, and then tonight was really great, and... Look, I'm not very good at stuff like this, okay?" She said, turning away.
Ryo walked up to her and placed his hands on Rika's shoulders. "Just... be honest. I really like you, Rika. Not just as a friend."
Rika turned in his grasp, looking into Ryo's eyes. "A-all right. I feel the same way about you, Ryo..."
Ryo swallowed nervously, slowly moving his face closer to Rika's. With one hand he brushed a few errant strands of Rika's hair from her face, hand lingering at the girl's cheek. "Rika…"
His brain barely registered the surprise as Rika half closed her eyes, bringing her face closer as well. "Just one kiss…" she murmured, lips dangerously close to Ryo's. "That's all I ask…"
